Adapting the home for seniors who choose to ‘age in place’

More seniors than ever before are living healthy independent lives well into their golden years. And a vast majority want to remain in their homes as long as possible, according to the National Aging in Place Council.

However, most houses were not built to adapt to our changing needs as we age.

The good news is there are many simple ways to make a home more functional for your needs as you age, and most of them are not expensive to do.

By 2030, Americans 65 and older will make up 20 percent of the population. For those wishing to make aging-in-place easier, there are several things to consider.

De-clutter Rooms

Eliminate clutter that could get in your way, such as planters and small console tables. Pay attention to area rugs and other tripping hazards. And if you have wood floors and carpeting, install transition strips where the two surfaces  adjoin.

Evaluate Your Entryway

To ideally accommodate a wheelchair, the doorway to your home should be at least 32-inches wide. Even without a wheelchair, a wider opening can be beneficial when entering and exiting.

There are different doors you can install to meet your mobility needs and personal style. Also consider how the door swings. A door that swings in may be easier to operate than one swinging out. A remodeling contractor can help determine what your home can accommodate structurally, provide recommendations for styles and handle installation. 

Tweak Bathrooms and Kitchens

Lowering countertops in your kitchen and bathroom can make using them easier. And consider grab-bars for showers and bathtubs. For their part, curbless showers and bathtubs with entrances that open can reduce the possibility of falling.

Get a Grip

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 67 million adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030. For them, just turning a doorknob can be painfully difficult.

Consider installing lever-style handles on exterior and interior doors. And choose ones with a multi-point locking system for ease of opening, which also provides greater security and stability.

Making life easier can be as simple as choosing low-maintenance entry doors with easy-to-use levers instead of doorknobs. Or, to allow more fresh air and light into the home, a homeowner can request vented sidelites on their doors that swing open easily on hinges.

Upgrade Patio Doors

Patio doors tend to receive more traffic than front doors. If your patio door is due for an upgrade, you can choose the classic elegance of a hinged door or the modern convenience of a sliding door. Both are available in two-, three- or four-panel configurations to ensure a wide opening.

Above all, when adapting your home, keep an eye on making your daily life easier.

Note to family members: If aging parents, grandparents or other extended family members live nearby, make a point of dropping in on them once in a while, just to make sure their situation hasn’t changed. Offer to run errands for them or help out with little projects around the house. It will mean a lot to them, although they may be reluctant  to ask for the help.